Gaming machine with loyalty bonus

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine is provided, which awards loyalty points to players playing the game who have identified themselves to the machine. The machine is arranged to award loyalty points to the player and to play two game means wherein, the first or base game may be provided by the slot machine game as a stand alone function with no dependence upon a supporting communications network, the second game may be linked game in which a plurality of network connected machines participate with control of the game being provided by a central game controller, while the communications network is controlled by a network controller. A first game mode is available to all players and a second enhanced game mode is made available to players who have reached a predetermined threshold of loyalty points.

This application claims priority to, and is a continuation of,co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/173,687 having a filingdate of Jul. 15, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/856,520 having a filing date of Sep. 17, 2007, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,177,630, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/275,234 having a filing date of Jun. 16, 2003, which is aNational Stage of International Application No. PCT/AU01/00496 having afiling date of May 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,291,068, which claimspriority to Australian Patent Application No. PQ 7263, having a filingdate of May 3, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to gaming machines of the type generallyknown as slot machines, fruit machines, card machines or poker machinesand in particular, the invention provides an improvement whereby playersare rewarded for frequenting a particular establishment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming machines are typically installed in large numbers at casinos andclubs which compete against one another for the custom of patronswishing to play their games. Typically, this competition involvesproviding attractions such as the latest games, promotions associated,with or additional to the games played on their gaming machines andlarge incrementing bonus jackpots.

These attractions work to some extent, but the smart gamblers choose toplay at establishments based on the current promotions that are beingrun, or the current size of the incrementing jackpots, and so there is acertain fluctuation in patronage due to the fickle nature of the patronsand the changing attractions of the promotions being run.

Some establishments have addressed this problem over the years byproviding loyalty schemes. There exist many different systems used byclubs and casinos where regular players are rewarded. Some are manualwhere players that are recognised as spending a lot of time playing themachines are given free meals or discounts. More sophisticated systemsinvolve players being sold or given a plastic card (eg. magnetic stripeor smartcard) that they can insert into a special reader on the gamingmachines at the applicable club/casino. Points are accumulated at afixed rate and stored on the card or in a central account. When theplayer accumulates a fixed number of points they become eligible toredeem them in exchange for goods. Players are usually given a range ofgoods to choose from where the number of points that need to be redeemedfor each item varies depending upon the value of the item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gaming console having a display means,player input means, loyalty points accumulating means and control meansarranged to control images displayed on the display means in response toplayer inputs and game outcomes of games run on the console by theplayer and to award loyalty points to the player which are recorded as aloyalty points value, the console being characterised in that it isarranged to operate in at least two modes, including a first normal modeand a second loyalty enhanced mode, wherein the first mode is availableto all players and the second mode is made available only to players whohave established a loyalty points value greater than or equal apredetermined level of loyalty points.

In various embodiments of the invention, the second mode may bedistinguished from the first mode by providing higher prizes oradditional prizes, allowing additional game features either as standardfeatures, or as purchasable features within a standard game, or byproviding eligibility to additional feature games, and bonus or jackpotprizes.

In the preferred embodiment, the main, or base game will be a card gameor spinning reel game with or without additional feature games, but mayalso be a keno or bingo game, or any other game which can be provided ona gaming console of this type.

The loyalty points may be accumulated and recorded on the player'sidentification card, in which case, the loyalty system may beimplemented on “stand alone’ consoles. Alternatively, in the case ofnetworked consoles, the tracking of player points can be done on anetwork server, or a dedicated loyalty system server for example, andthe player identification card can be used only to identify the playerto the system.

In the case where the second mode provides a feature game, the featuregame may be an independent second screen game. Alternatively, a bonusfeature may be related to particular outcomes on the main game, such asproviding prizes for outcomes over a certain level or containing certainindicia. The loyalty feature may also be related to a system event in alinked system and may for example, involve providing eligibility to aprogressive jackpot.

Some specific examples of bonus rewards that can be provided to a playerwhen their accumulated loyalty points exceed the predetermined level mayinclude:

-   -   a) 10 free games are awarded.    -   b) Pay a bonus of 5 credits for every KING that appears in the        next 20 games.    -   c) A second screen feature is awarded, which pays a bonus prize.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional video slot machine on which theembodiment of the present invention is provided;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a network of gaming machines;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the gaming machine of FIG. 1, showing majorfunctional elements;

FIG. 4 is a further block diagram of a slot machine of FIGS. 1 and 3,showing optional touch screen and network connection functions;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 & 8, are game screens illustrating a game sequence whichdemonstrates the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the maintenance of points for a player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description the methodology of the embodimentswill be described, and it is to be understood that it is within thecapabilities of the non-inventive worker in the art to introduce themethodology on any standard processor-based gaming console by means ofappropriate programming.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a first embodiment of the inventionis implemented in relation to a slot machine 50 of the type having avideo display illustrating a plurality of rotatable simulated reels 40carrying symbols 43. During a game, the plurality of simulated reels arespun and when the reels stop spinning, a part of each reel is visibledisplaying a subset of the symbols on the respective reel. The consoleis arranged to pay a prize on the occurrence of a predetermined symbolor combination of symbols appearing together on the visible parts of thereels.

The prize paying combinations can be any of the combinations found onknown spinning reel style slot machines, or may be a new set ofcombinations derived specifically for machines according to theinvention.

In the slot machine 50 illustrated in FIG. 1, the game is initiated bypressing a button 44, however, it will be recognised by persons skilledin the art that this operating mechanism might be replaced by a pullhandle actuator, or a touch screen sensor, in other embodiments of theinvention. Credit is established on the slot machine by inserting coinsinto the coin slot 33, inserting a banknote or ticket into the billacceptor 67 or possibly by inserting a card into the card reader andtransferring credit either from an account held at the casino or at afinancial institution or by transferring a credit from a stored value onthe card itself.

The top box 45 on top of the slot machine 50 displays the variouswinning combinations for which a prize is paid on this machine.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 a series of function switches 47 are alsoprovided for selection of the bets and lines to be included in the game.

Games provided in embodiments of the present invention are modifiedversions of the current genre of Multiline 5 Reel Video games. Thesegames operate on a video screen 41 displaying 5 separate reels 40.Referring specifically to the embodiment of FIG. 1, three symbols 43from each of the video reel strips are viewed on screen at any one time,for each of the 5 reels. The players have an option of playing 1, 3, 5,7 or 9 different lines.

While the slot machine illustrated in FIG. 1 is of thesimulated-spinning reel type, the present invention is equallyapplicable to any type of game found on the current generation of videoslot machines and could also be applied to physical reel machines. Theprimary game of the slot machine will operate in the conventional mannerand its operation will not be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, a number of gaming consoles 50 are preferablyconnected in a network via a communications system 62, and the networkcontroller 61. A network game controller 60 is also provided on thecommunications network 62 to control the accumulation of linkedprogressive prizes and the awarding of jackpots.

In a networked embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 2, the loyaltypoints accumulation may be implemented on either the network controller61 or, the network game controller 60 or, alternatively a separatededicated server (not shown) could be used to implement the loyaltypoints recording system. Alternatively in a stand alone embodiment thefunctionality of the loyalty system is built into the controller of thegaming console itself. In such a system the points will be accumulatedby the console and stored on the players identification card rather thanat a central controller.

The program to implement the base game described above, and to providethe normal mode of operation and the loyalty enhanced mode, runs on astandard gaming console control processor 31 as illustratedschematically in FIGS. 3 and 4. This processor forms part of acontroller 30 which drives the display screen 11 and receives playerinput signals from pushbutton switches 47. Alternatively, player inputsmay be made by way of touch input signals from touch sensors 32. Theconsole also receives coin input pulses from a coin chute mechanism 33to establish a player credit and includes a coin payout mechanism orhopper 34. Connection to the communications network 42 is via a networkinterface 35.

The operation of the loyalty points system is split between the gameconsole 50 and the network game controller 60 with points allocationfunctions and reward game features being provided within the gameconsole 50 and points accumulation and recordal being performed on thecentral game controller with the points information being passed to eachparticipating machine 50 via the network 62.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the gaming machines within agaming venue will preferably have a card reader 65 installed. Playersare able to insert a loyalty card (smartcard or magnetic stripe card)into a gaming machine when they play, and a percentage of the amountthat they bet will be added onto the card (ie a typical point collectingloyalty system), or collected in a loyalty points account on a networkserver such as the network controller 61 of FIG. 2. In the case wherepoints are stored on a network server, player identity may beestablished via a number of possible mechanisms including, the insertionof an Identity Card or Key in a reader on the machine, keying in of aPIN number on a keypad provided on the machine, or player details couldbe obtained as part of another activity such as cashless gaming fundstransfer. However, it is not essential to identify the player in orderto reward player loyalty and players may be issued with cards or otheridentifying devices that do not provide player identity information butinstead just carry the players loyalty points. Alternatively theidentifying device might provide an account identifier to allow aloyalty points account to be stored on a network computer. Finally, incases where a physical identification device is not accessible by theconsole, some embodiments may permit the player the player to accumulateloyalty points during the period of play on a given console only and anypoints would be automatically cancelled when the credit meter in theconsole reaches zero.

Whenever the number of points stored on a player's card or accountreaches a pre-determined threshold level, a bonus game will commenceafter the current game has completed. This bonus game may be a secondarygame that is independent of the base or main game, but in the preferredembodiment, the bonus game is an extension to the base game beingplayed. For example, the bonus game may involve 10 credits being awardedfor every King (K) symbol that appears on the screen in any one of thenext 30 games played. Note that this feature may also be triggered by aconventional trigger in addition to a trigger based on the points level,however, it is preferred that the loyalty points threshold will providethe only method of triggering the feature.

When the feature is triggered to occur as a result of points level, thecurrent game will be completed, and the gaming machine will deduct therequired number of points (ie the threshold level) from the players'card or account. The bonus feature will then commence, during which anybets made by the player will still increment the points level on theplayers' card by the pre-determined percentage.

For example, a player may have their card inserted into gaming machinewith the screen of FIG. 5 appearing.

Due to the nature of this type of loyalty system, it is possible thatthe increment rate for the points on the card or, loyalty account mayactually be 100% of the amount bet, although this is not mandatory. Forthe present example however, it is assumed that the points willincrement at a rate of 1 point for every credit bet on the gamingconsole in which the card is inserted.

By making a bet on the base game of 1 credit per line on 20 lines, theplayer will exceed the threshold level of points required to be entitledto be eligible for the bonus feature as illustrated in FIG. 6. Assumingthat the combination of 3×B on line 1 in FIG. 6, paid 100 credits in thebase game.

FIG. 7, illustrates the first game of the bonus feature, in which theplayer wins 15 credits for 3×K, plus an additional 10 credits for everyK on the screen, giving another 40 credits for the bonus feature.

Turning now to FIG. 8, in the second bonus game, the player has noadvantage from the bonus feature because no K's appear on the screen.However, 10 credits are awarded for 3×9s from the base game.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flowchart of the reward process is illustrated.In this process the steps START (101) and Let BONUS_REMAINING=0 (102),are initialisation steps performed when a player establishes a credit onthe console by inserting cash or transferring credit to the console. Instep 103, the player loyalty system records are read and the value ofBONUS_REMAINING (which keeps a count of the unplayed bonus gamesremaining for this player) is updated with a corresponding value storedin the player's loyalty data. The value of BONUS_REMAINING is thenchecked to see if any unplayed bonus games are outstanding and if so,the console commences play at step 106 in bonus mode. Alternatively, theplayer loyalty points information is checked at step 104 to see if theplayer's points are above the threshold level of 1000, in which case,the console switches into the loyalty enhanced bonus mode and theplayer's loyalty points are decremented by 1000 at step 105 and theplayer loyalty points record is updated on the card or on the server asthe case may be. The console again commences play at step 106 in bonusmode. After a bet is made at step 106, the console checks for thepresence of a player identification card at step 107 and if present, theplayer loyalty points are incremented at step 108. The game is thenplayed in step 109 and any standard prizes are awarded. The console thentests for bonus games remaining at step 110 and if greater than zero,bonus wins are awarded at step 111, and the BONUS_REMAINING counter isdecremented and the value recorded in the player loyalty records.

The BONUS_REMAINING counter is then tested again in step 112 and ifgreater than zero, a new game is commenced at step 106 in bonus mode.Alternatively, if the BONUS_REMAINING counter is zero, the playerloyalty points are tested again at step 104 to see if the threshold hasbeen exceeded, enabling bonus mode to commence/continue beforecommencing a new game at step 106. This process assumes that the playerwill automatically be taken into bonus mode each time the loyalty pointsexceed the threshold. It is possible however, for the player to be givencontrol over entry into bonus mode once qualification is achieved, inwhich case, additional steps would be required between step 104 and 105to allow the player choice to be recorded.

The bonus feature may also be available as a standard feature of thebase game, such that other triggers (eg; combination triggers) in thegame itself, may cause the feature to be invoked. The feature may begame specific, where a certain number of points collected will award abonus feature that is built into the game and usually triggered by acertain random event or combination trigger. This could happenautomatically when the number of points reaches the required level.Alternatively, the player may be allowed to accumulate as many points asthey like so that they can play any bonus features that are owing tothem at a time of their choosing. Hence the effect on the game will bethat there are two ways that the game specific feature could betriggered—either by a random triggering event or by an accumulation of afixed number of points. This also means that the expected return toplayer percentage for a player of the applicable gaming machines will behigher for a player taking part in the loyalty system than for one thatis not.

The same approach could also be applied where the bonus is generic toall of the gaming machines that participate in the points collectionscheme. For example, a linked, progressive jackpot system may allowplayers to play the linked bonus feature when a certain number of pointshave been accumulated. Again, this would mean that there are twopossible ways of triggering the linked progressive jackpot on thesystem—the usual random turnover-based trigger or the individual pointaccumulation. Similarly there could be a dedicated feature associatedwith the participating gaming machines that could be either gamespecific or generic that is only available to players redeeming points.Hence players who do not use the points reward system will never beeligible to play that particular feature.

A new method of incrementing points can also be used. That is, ratherthan points being incremented as a fixed percentage of turnover as forprior art systems, the points could be accumulated by other means. Onemethod is to adjust the percentage increment for different bet levels ina way that is not directly proportional to the amount bet. For example,a bet of a single credit may add 0.01 points to the player's card oraccount and hence 100 single credit bets would add 1 credit. However, ifthe player were to make a single bet of 100 credits in one hit then 2points may be added instead of 1.

In another embodiment, the incrementing of player loyalty points may becompletely unrelated to turnover. For example, the points may be relatedto wins or losses. Every non-winning game may add one point, oralternatively when wins occur the same number of credits as were won mayalso be added to the player's card or account.

Of the many types of features possible, some can be an extension to thebase game. For example in a standard keno game 20 numbers are selectedfrom a total of 80 and, if they match certain of the numbers that theplayer selected, a prize is awarded. When the player inserts their cardand they have reached the loyalty points threshold, the same keno gamewill allocate 21 numbers from the 80 for the next 50 games. That is, theapparent probability of a win will be increased by giving the player anextra number for every game. (Note that in some embodiments theprobability may or may not be actually increased, but the playerperception will be that the loyalty system results in a higher winprobability).

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of gaming using a gaming consoleand a controller, the method comprising: accumulating loyalty points bya controller for a player based on a wager made by the player on anoutcome of a play of a game of chance on a gaming console; making theplayer eligible to play a bonus game when a number of accumulatedloyalty points reaches a threshold level; determining if the playerchooses to play the bonus game with an amount of the accumulated loyaltypoints; and conducting play of the bonus game by the controller when theeligible player chooses to play the bonus game with the amount of theaccumulated loyalty points.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, andwherein the bonus game is a secondary game different to the game playedto accumulate loyalty points.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, andfurther comprising accumulating the loyalty points at a centralcontroller connected to the gaming console by a network.
 4. A method asclaimed in claim 1, and further comprising accumulating the loyaltypoints at the gaming console.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, andfurther comprising deducting the amount of loyalty points from theaccumulated loyalty points.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, andfurther comprising deducting the amount of loyalty points correspondingto the threshold level.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, and furthercomprising making the player eligible for a plurality of bonus games andconducting the plurality of bonus games when the player chooses to playthe bonus games.
 8. A loyalty points system comprising: a gaming consoleoperable by a player to play a game of chance; and a controller arrangedto accumulate loyalty points for the player based on a wager made by theplayer on an outcome of a play of the game of chance on the gamingconsole, the loyalty points system arranged to make a player eligible toplay a bonus game when a number of accumulated loyalty points reaches athreshold level, determine if the player chooses to play the bonus gamewith an amount of the accumulated loyalty points, and conduct play ofthe bonus game when the eligible player chooses to play the bonus gamewith the amount of the accumulated loyalty points.
 9. A loyalty pointssystem as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the bonus game is a secondarygame different to the game played to accumulate loyalty points.
 10. Aloyalty points system as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the controlleris a central controller connected to the gaming console by a network.11. A loyalty points system as claimed in claim 10, and wherein thepoints are allocated at the gaming console.
 12. A loyalty points systemas claimed in claim 8, and wherein the controller is a controller of thegaming console.
 13. A loyalty points system as claimed in claim 8, andfurther arranged to deduct an amount of loyalty points from theaccumulated loyalty points.
 14. A loyalty points system as claimed inclaim 13, and further arranged to deduct an amount of loyalty pointscorresponding the threshold level.
 15. A loyalty points system asclaimed in claim 8, and further arranged to make the player eligible fora plurality of bonus games and conduct the plurality of bonus games whenthe player chooses to play the bonus games.